Wildfires aren’t always a completely natural occurrence.
A huge number of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans, whether it’s a hiker carelessly tossing a cigarette aside or through the negligent actions of a utility company.
A wildfire can occur anywhere in the country, but California faces a particularly high risk for these highly destructive fires due to the location and nature of many neighborhoods throughout the state. In recent years, the state has been devastated by numerous fires, such as the Maui Fire, Woolsey Fire, Creek Fire, Thomas Fire, and Camp Fire. Data from the National Interagency Fire Center shows that California had the highest number of acres destroyed by wildfires in 2018, with more properties at risk for potential wildfire damage.
An estimated
85%
of all United States wildfires are caused by humans
In 2018,
1.8M
of woodland property to wildfires were lost in California
An estimated
2M
properties in California are at high-to-extreme risk of wildfires as of September 2019
California wildfires have destroyed entire towns, caused billions of dollars in damages, and have claimed numerous lives. For the people whose lives are impacted by these catastrophic wildfires, it can be hard to know where to begin rebuilding your life. The California wildfire attorneys of The Wallace Firm are here to help you through this difficult time.
FIRE TYPES
Why do I need a wildfire attorney?
Claims for wildfire damages can be very complex. When wildfires are caused by utility companies, those companies have big legal teams and insurance companies who will try to do everything they can to minimize the amount of money they need to pay out in damages. The wildfire attorneys at The Wallace Firm will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions so that you can rebuild your life.
Do I need a wildfire attorney if I have insurance?
Even if you have insurance, a wildfire attorney can still help you recover all of the damages you’re entitled to. It’s very common for people to make claims for wildfire damages through their insurance company, only to discover that they don’t have as much insurance coverage as they thought they did.
Even if your insurance company will cover some of your damages, there’s a very good chance they’ll only cover the depreciated value of the items you’ve lost, not the full replacement value. Insurance policies also won’t cover all types of damages, like emotional distress. A wildfire attorney can help you recover the kinds of damages that insurance companies deny.
Can I sue for wildfire damages if I rent my home?
Just because you rent your home, that doesn’t mean you can’t have losses in the event of a wildfire. Your renters insurance may cover some of your personal property losses, but there’s a good chance it won’t cover the full extent of your damages. Working with a wildfire attorney can help you recover damages for losses not covered by your renters insurance or the difference between the depreciated value and replacement value of your belongings.
Can I make a claim for wildfire damages if I don’t have insurance?
Even if you don’t have insurance, you still may be able to recover damages caused by a wildfire. Uninsured homeowners and renters may be able to collect damages by working with a wildfire attorney.
Damages in a California wildfire claim
If you’ve been impacted by a California wildfire, some of the damages you can try to recover include:
- Damage to your home, other structures, and landscaping on your property
- Loss of personal property
- Lost income
- Costs of temporary housing and other costs associated with evacuation
- Emotional distress
- Funeral expenses
Can I afford a California wildfire attorney?
After being impacted by a wildfire, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you can afford to get help recovering your damages. The California wildfire attorneys at The Wallace Firm work on a contingency basis, so you won’t be charged anything unless we get a settlement for you.
Contact a California wildfire attorney
If you’ve been impacted by a wildfire, don’t let insurance companies try to pay you less than you need to rebuild your life. The California wildfire attorneys of The Wallace Firm will fight on your behalf to help you get all of the compensation you’re owed.
As a California-based firm, we care deeply about helping people rebuild and recover after these devastating fires. You already have enough to deal with. The last thing you need is to try going up against big utility companies on your own. But we’re not afraid to take on big companies to hold them accountable for their actions. We’ll be on your side every step of the way. Contact us today for help with your claim.